Title: Boundaries

Author: Evidence

Chapter: 2

Rating: PG

Author's Notes: Thanks to D and for the reviews.



The red and blue lights bathed the night into an almost eerie glow. They swayed around changing Sara's hair color as Grissom watched her chatting with Officer Van Huesan and collecting evidence from the dog. He wanted to apologize for upsetting her but like always his words became twisted in his throat whenever she was around.

"We got an ID on our vic."

Grissom swirled around to see Jim Brass with a smug look on his face. "Good, who is he?"

"I think Van Huesan likes Sara."

Grissom fumed. "Jim, I thought you were about to talk about the case."

"I am but I couldn't help seeing you stare at Sara..."

"I wasn't staring..."

"Wouldn't they make a cute couple?"

Grissom bit at his lower lip. "The case, please. Who's our vic?"

"Calm down I'm just teasing you. Anyone can see Sara only has eyes for you." Brass continued on not missing a beat even though Grissom looked ready to ask a question. "Our dead man is Vincent Krammer. His neighbor, Evelyn Jasper, just IDed him for us. He is a widow like Mrs. Jasper. They have dinner over each other's residences a few times a week."

"They're dating?"

Brass shrugged. "I don't know- Mrs. Jasper just said that they were friends who ate dinner together. If he stayed longer after dinner Mrs. Jasper didn't reveal and I didn't ask. Mr. Krammer was 74 and except for high cholesterol in good health."

"Did she see anyone around here tonight?"

"Nope, she took a sleeping pill around eight after Mr. Krammer left. She said she was out cold until 11 when she heard the dog howling. By then the neighbors next door who aren't dog fans called animal control to report the howling dog." Brass looked up form his notes.

"Have you interviewed the other neighbors?" Grissom asked stealing a look at Sara laughing at something Chris was saying.

"Yes, the non members of the Humane Society are Kyle and Debbie Lane. They heard the dog start howling about ten."

"Did they see anyone around?"

"Ah, no they were predisposed at the time." Brass grinned.

"What does that mean?" Grissom asked.

"Well I could draw you a diagram but I would feel a little uncomfortable about it," Brass laughed.

"Oh." Grissom said finally understanding.

"And the dog's name is Bailey." Brass flipped close his notes.

Grissom's eyed followed to Sara. She looked so happy right then after the tears had dried that David had seen her shed. Crying because of an argument between Grissom and her.

"Sara!" he yelled over. "Do you have anything?"

"Yeah." She was short and to the point.

"Look I'm sorry about earlier can I see the evidence?"

Brass could have been knocked over by a feather at that point.

"Um...yeah on my way," she called back and joined him a feel seconds later, friendly. "I found an interesting fiber on the dog's color." She handed him the evidence bag.

Grissom's fingers briefly touched her gloved hand but even though it was covered he could feel her warmth.

"It appears to be nylon," Sara said looking practically over Grissom's shoulder as he observed the fiber.

"Well this could belong to anyone, even our vic," Grissom responded in his usual neutral tone.

"I have a hunch it belongs to our killer. Our dog friendly killer." Sara grinned.

"Let's prove that first."

"That's what I'm planning to do Grissom...if of course the evidence says that."

"Sara," Officer Van Huesan came up to the small gathering. "Do you need to search the dog any further? If not I'll take him to his temporary home at the pound."

"Nope I'm all done. Poor guy," she said shaking her head, "I think I may have to come and visit him."

"That would be nice," Chris said with a smile.

Grissom felt this stomach twist.

"Ah, Sara would you ask Officer Canoples if he found anything in the bushes?" Brass directed trying to clear the awkward scene.

"Sure," Sara said and with a wave to Chris took off to the officer's direction.

"So," Chris started, "is she single?"

"No." Grissom answered quickly.

"Oh," Chris said with disappointment, "She has a boyfriend, huh?"

"Yes," Grissom responded.

"Yeah but we hardly ever see him like's invisible or doesn't exist or something," Brass said with a chuckle.

Grissom's head was spinning. Why was he destroying a chance for Sara to be happy? When he wasn't ready to share any of his feelings with her? But he was overpowered with the desire to doom this potential romance. "You know that dog is actually still evidence...I think I'll take him for a while."

"Take him?" Brass asked.

"Keep him at my condo until the investigation is done."

"When did you want to play Timmy and have a Lassie?" Brass asked, catching on.

"I've always liked...dogs."

"Well Mr. Grissom if you're willing to take the dog until I can find him a new home that would really be great. My pound is very overcrowded right now. I'll get Bailey ready for transport in your Tahoe."

"Great," Grissom said with a low voice.

Brass began laughing when Officer Van Huesan walked away. "Oh you don't like Sara at all. Nope not one bit." Brass grew more serious. "You truly care for her Gil, that's why you're willing to play daddy to a dog. You want to impress her and keep her far away from handsome, young officer Van Huesan."

Grissom pushed his glasses back on the bridge of his nose. "I am merely taking care of the evidence. If this animal was a scorpion or a rat, I would do the same thing."

"Mr. Grissom, Bailey's ready to roll!" Chris yelled from near Grissom's dark SUV.

Grissom sighed. "Jim, would you please tell Sara to finish up here and head back to the lab. I'll be there as soon as I can get my guest settled."

"Sure. Have fun." Brass laughed again.



To be continued...